PostNL has warned online shoppers that some parcel deliveries will be delayed because capacity is being stretched.

The company is also urging people not to return unwanted goods until after the Sinterklaas festivities on Saturday, to reduce pressure on its services.

‘We don’t want to make any concessions with regard to the coronavirus rules and our network must continue to function smoothly. So at peak periods, we are adapting our schedules for picking up parcels at webshops,’ parcel post chief Liesbeth Kaashoek said in a press statement.

On very busy days, such as during Black Friday sales and Sinterklaas, the company is processing 1.5 million packages a day, she said. The coronavirus pandemic has also driven more shoppers online.

‘This week we will deliver more than 10 million parcels,’ Kaashoek said. Of them, some 95% will be delivered as agreed.